Cherryville adds alcohol to Cherry Blossom Festival

Published: Friday, February 14, 2014 at 04:33 PM.

Cherryville City Council voted this week to add a beer garden to the annual two-day event.

Held the last weekend in April, the Cherryville Blossom Festival has bands, vendors and carnival rides for kids along about six city blocks. The festival starts on Friday night and continues Saturday.

In the past, Friday was geared primarily toward children who wanted to climb aboard carnival rides at night.

In recent years, organizers have added bands to the evening event to attract adults. The idea is to have something for everyone at the festival, according to Richard Randall, president of the Cherryville Chamber of Commerce.

The idea of adding beer sales has been batted around for years, according to Randall.

City Council voted unanimously this month to approve the addition of the beer garden.

Cherryville City Council voted this week to add a beer garden to the annual two-day event.

Held the last weekend in April, the Cherryville Blossom Festival has bands, vendors and carnival rides for kids along about six city blocks. The festival starts on Friday night and continues Saturday.

In the past, Friday was geared primarily toward children who wanted to climb aboard carnival rides at night.

In recent years, organizers have added bands to the evening event to attract adults. The idea is to have something for everyone at the festival, according to Richard Randall, president of the Cherryville Chamber of Commerce.

The idea of adding beer sales has been batted around for years, according to Randall.

City Council voted unanimously this month to approve the addition of the beer garden.

“We have talked about it on both sides for years,” he said. “We’ve talked about managing it while maintaining a family atmosphere.”

One person, Wayne Key, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Cherryville, spoke against the decision during the public comment portion of the meeting. Key came to the meeting to say the opening prayer, but he decided to speak about beer sales when he saw the matter on the agenda.

“I’ve taken my children and grandchildren in years past. I just feel like our festival doesn’t need to sell beer,” Key said. “My concern is for people buying and drinking alcohol.”

Key told council members that he objected the decision, but he was glad to hear that beer drinkers would be confined to one area rather than carrying libations throughout the festival. Key said he’s still concerned that festival-goers will drink then get behind the wheel.

The city and Chamber work in tandem to put on the festival each year, and they will be in charge of the beer sales.

Randall said they’re going to add beer to the mix this year and see if it fits. He said organizers feel they can keep a balance of fun for children and adults. “We certainly want to keep the family atmosphere. We think we can balance it out,” said Randall.

You can reach Diane Turbyfill at 704-869-1817 and twitter.com/GazetteDiane.